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Tyler County Newspaper Articles

Mr. Stealey , of Middlebourne, West Va., is 81 years of age, has never seen a railroad and in the past 41 years has slept at home every night except two, when he was visiting at a daughters at Centerville in the same county--Tyler.  Wheeling Register - October 30, 1878


Burglars at Middlebourne.
Special Telegram
to the Register.
MIDDLEBOURNE,
February 20.--L. L. Stealy this morning found his store open and the safe blown.  A considerable amount of money was taken, about $100 of which belonged to the Masonic fraternity.  The show cases were stripped of all the jewelry.  Their drilling tools, hammers and wedges, a part of which had been taken from a blacksmith shop near by, were left in the store.  There is no clue to the burglars. Wheeling Register - February 21, 1889

We have seen the following item in several of our exchanges:  "The McCoy Bros. of Sistersville, have shipped this season 310 hogsheads of tobacco."  And nine-tenths of that same tobacco (and everything else that is shipped there) was taken from or through Middlebourne to Sistersville to be shipped; and yet a great many insist on a railroad along the river for benefit of Tyler county.--Tyler County Star.  Wheeling Register, December 22, 1879

WANT THE COURT HOUSE MOVED.
 
A Combined Effort to Bring it from Middlebourne to Sistersville. 
Special to the Register.  Sistersville, W. Va., September 15.--There is a growing sentiment in this part of Tyler county among politicians and others, irrespective of party, that the court house at Middlebourne is too far away from the principal city of the county and too difficult of access.  There is now on foot a concerted movement among all classes in this end of the county to have it moved from that place here, and at the next general election it is possible that this matter will be a prominent issue.  The court house and county seat is now about ten miles in the interior of the county, and in bad weather it is almost impossible to get to that place through the mud, the roads having an unenviable reputation for being the muddiest in the State.  It is expected this movement will meet with spirited opposition on the part of the inland people, but it is thought there are enough persons here vitally interested to carry the issue when it comes to a vote.  It would be much more convenient here and would be a great benefit to the rural residents of the county, as they could come to the city to do their business and do much better than they can now.  It would also be more convenient for the oil men here, who have the greater part of the business of a legal nature in the county to transact.  Wheeling Register, September 16, 1895 

Dastardly Work of Bushwhackers.
SHILOH,O., June 20.--George Mitchell, wife and sister, out riding last night, were fired on by ambushers.  Mitchell was wounded and his sister fatally injured.  Wheeling Register, June 21, 1882

MIDDLEBOURNE NEWS NOTES
Special to the Register

Middlebourne, W. Va., May 29--A. J. Ferrell and Jason Hart were in town on business to-day.

W. M. Staley, of Wick, called on his friends to-day and says his No. 3 well is due in the sand and John Bullamn No. 3 is close to the sand. 

Gorrell Dock, J. W. Montgomery and Wesley Waters were here on road business.

Jackson Smith called on his friends here to-day.  He is just recovered from an attach of typhoid fever.

Misses Daisy and Louisa Smith, of Martinsburg, left for home to-day.  They have been visiting their grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Ambrose Smith.

B. Engle, Esq., is in Wheeling to secure a switch board for the telephone exchange in Middlebourne.

The Tyler County Fair Association let the contract for a new grand station to be built on their grounds for the sum of $575.75 to C. D. Watson.  It is to be a great improvement on the old one.

W. H. Hutle was at Paden's Valley loading lumber.

James L. and O. P. Fox were in town on important business.

Dr. Smith has everything ready to raise his new house on Dodd street, and D. H. Morey is hauling stone for the foundation for his new livery barn.  The old town would boom if we had a few more such men.

Politics are slowly simmering.  The Republicans are having trouble over their candidates.  They think they have a sure thing on the offices and are hustling for the places.

Mr. Paul Engle and Robert McCoy were in Sistersville yesterday evening on pressing business.
The Wheeling Register, May 30, 1895

MIDDLEBOURNE P. O.
It is Finally Disposed of, But Oh! What a Mess It's In,
Special Telegram to the Register

Middlebourne, July 5--G. W. Atkinson left here to-day, after having disposed of the Middlebourne postoffice.  J. W. Barnes, of the Star, gets the appointment, and as his health is not in condition to do any business, the attaches of the printing office are to attend to the post-office.

It has caused considerable dissatisfaction.  Some of the disappointed applicants say that the Star was no advantage to the party during the late campaign, that its editorials come near stampeding the party in Tyler, causing more kickers than was ever known before since the organization of the State.  We understand that the appointment was made to boom the financial condition of the Star.  Old citizens who have been a mainstay of the Republican party through thick and thin have been made to stand aside to make room for a man that cast his first vote in West Virginia at the last general election.
 The Wheeling Register, July 6, 1889.

MIDDLEBOURNE

Middlebourne, W. Va., June 3--Judge D. F. Pugh, of Columbus, who spent a few days with friends here, has returned home.

J. H. Strickling and his wife went to Doddridge county, Saturday, where Mrs. Strickling will visit Mr. Strickling's mother for some weeks.

G. G. Smith, Esq., left yesterday for Mt. Clemens, Mich., to take the bath treatment for rheumatism, with which he has been suffering for some time.

Miss Gertrude A. Shaw, who has been visiting friends here for the last two weeks, left for her home in Moundsville to-day.

Oil men in town:  J. C. McMahon, L. J. Murphy, John A. George and Roy Murphy.

Jas. Ireland, of Joseph's Mills, was in town to-day looking after his fences for the nomination for assessor on the Republican ticket.

There is a fight in the Republican county committee over the question whether the Republican nominations will be made by a delegate convention or by primary election in this county.  The bosses favor the convention, as they can manipulate it better for the state they have made out, while the candidates in general and other good Republicans who are not standing in with the bosses want a primary.  It is reported that there will be an attempt on the part of the bosses to reorganize the county committee so as to have everything their own way at the county convention to be held here June 11, to appoint delegates to the Republican State and various other conventions.

The Democrats here are divided on the money question, with perhaps a majority for sound money.  Watts is the favorite for Governor since Judge Bennett is considered out of the race.  The Democrats of Tyler recognize that to win a decisive victory this fall requires an honest, fearless and aggressive leader, and such a leader they believe Watts would be.  For judge in The Fourth Judicial district they favor J. V. Blair, of West Union, as the Democratic candidate, and for Congress, John O. Pendleton would be the choice.  The Wheeling Register, June 4, 1896.

"The following is an extract of a letter from a gentleman on the spot, to a member of the Legislature of Virginia, politely furnished for publication:"
WHEELING, 14th Feb. 1832.

Dear Sir:--I now take the liberty to inform you of the melancholy situation of the people on the Ohio river, occasioned by the high waters.  The very high rise of the river commenced on the 9th inst.; the 10th, 11th and 12th it was at the highest--and the river is yet out of its banks.  To give you some idea of the awful situation of those on the river, I am told that a steam-boat passed through; and on the back side of part of the town of Sistersville, the river swept from hill to hill on each side, except the high banks or bottoms.  All stacks of hay, grain, and much of the corn is swept away; and it is calculated that as many as 100 houses have been taken from this part of the river, and of course, all the fences, bridges, and every thing of the kind is gone--and goods, household furniture, and property of every kind destroyed.  I am not able at present to give you an accurate account of the damage.  The visitation to the Valley of the Ohio, is the most disastrous, destructive and awful, that I have ever seen, and I have been well acquainted with this river for upwards of 50 years.  The cry of people in one of the houses going down was heard, but no relief could be given.

Would it not be proper to request the Legislature to appropriate some of the taxes of the counties bordering on the Ohio, toward building bridges, and to assist those of the inhabitants who have lost their all.  The roads will be entirely ruined, and cannot be travelled.  The people must first build their fences and houses; so that it will be impracticable to repair the roads.  As early as I can, I will advise you more of the particular situation of the people.  

"Sistersville is situate in Tyler county, 50 miles below Wheeling."  Richmond Enquirer (Virginia), February 14th, 1832.


A PLEASANT re-union occurred at Sistersville, Tyler county, on last Tuesday.  Mrs. Sarah McCoy, an aged lady of that place, having attained her eighty-third year, celebrated that event by an entertainment to her children and grandchildren.  Mrs. McCoy is the daughter of one of the oldest settlers of Brooke county, whose name was Wells.  This patriarch married the second time.  His first wife bore him ten, and his second eleven children.  The twentieth offspring of these fruitful unities was christened "Twenty" and the twenty-first and last child, a girl, received the euphoneous, and perhasp appropriate name of "Plenty."  Nearly three-fourths of a century ago a number of the Wells family bought lands in Tyler county along the river, and the village of Sistersville received its name in honor of three of the Wells sisters, one of whom is Mrs. Sarah McCoy, The only other suvivor of this score and more of children is Nicholas Wells, Esq., of Long Reach, who has arrived at the ripe old age of four score and ten years.  Wheeling Daily Register - February 26, 1877.

A Badly Broken Leg

Yesterday evening Mr. Hank Zwicker, of East Wheeling, was brought up on the Ohio River train from a fishing camp down about Long Beach, Tyler county, suffering from a badly fractured leg.  It seems that Mr. Zwicker was "skylarking" with two or three friends, yesterday afternoon, at the camp, when he fell, fracturing his leg in two or three places and making an injury which will confine him to his home for some time to come.  
 The Wheeling Register, September 5, 1892.

 
Rabies in Tyler
Col. Dan Johnson, President of the Local Board of Health of Tyler county,  and who was attacked by a mad dog, has communicated with Dr. Geo. L. Garrison, member of  the State Board of Health, asking for information as to what shall be done for the protection of the people of Tyler county. Dr. Garrison has instructed him to call a meeting of the Board and take whatever steps they thought necessary for their protection, under the provision of Sec. 7, Chap. 150 of the Code of West Virginia.

Hit By An Engine
Terrible Injuries Received by a Sistersville Man
Special to the Register.
Sistersville, W. Va., May 3.--About 2:30 o'clock this morning as two girls who reside on the boats just above the town, were returning home they found the body of Thad Connolly lying on the lower side of the Ohio River track terribly bruised and insensible. They summoned help and carried him to one of the boats and immediately sent for medical assistance. The well known and popular doctors, R. A. Irwin and W. A. Kahle were soon at the boat and rendered all possible assistance. The right side of Connolly's head was found badly bruised, and his ear and face terribly lacerated. His right arm was mashed to a pulp, making amputation necessary just below the elbow. The doctors also stitched up his scalp and sewed his ear on.

At the last account he was resting very easy, but his recovery is very doubtful. He is eighteen years of age and lives with his father, the ferryman, just above the place where the accident occurred. He was under the influence of strong drink and judging from appearances must have been sitting along side the track in a drunken sleep.

Extra engine No. 13, running light, is supposed to have been the train that hit him, but the trainment say they know nothing of the accident.  
The Wheeling Register, May 4, 1896.

A Pleasant Surprise Party
Special Correspondence of the Registerr
FRIENDLY, TYLER COUNTY, W. VA,
February 7.--A pleasant affair took place here on Monday evening, at the Adams House, in the form of a surprise party, given in honor of the fiftieth birthday anniversary of our fellow townsman, W. N. Walton, by the citizens of Friendly and vicinity. At about 7 o'clock the ladies and gentlemen began to gather in to the number of seventy-five, led by the Friendly string band. After entering the parlors, Mr. George Wells, of Ben's Run, in behalf of the ladies, presented Mr. Walton with a handsome gold headed silk umbrella and a heavy gold seal ring. Mr. Walton responded, after which Mr. Porter Davenport stepped forward and presented him with a handsome heavy gold headed ebony cane, accompanied with a tie pin, by Mr. J. W. Williams, Jr. After recovering from this second surprise he responded in an appropriate manner and invited all out to supper. At 11:30 p. m., all departed wishing Mr. Walton many happy returns of the day.
The Wheeling Register, February 8, 1889.

Destructive Fire
Last week, a destructive fire occurred at Centreville district, in Tyler county. The residence of Mr. A. L. Corbly was burned, causing a loss from $2,500 to $3,000 with an insurance of $700. Mr. and Mrs. Corbly were called away early in the morning, leaving their son, quite a young boy, at home. He states that he covered the fire, swept up the hearth and set the broom back in a corner, and went down to Bearsville. About 10 o'clock a daughter of mr. James McCann discovered the fire and informed her father, who with his son immediately hurried to the scene of the conflagrtion and did all they could to save the property, but their efforts were unvailing. The dwelling with all its contents, and the smoke house near by were soon a mass of ruins. It was only by herculean efforts that they, assisted by other neighbors, saved the granary, which stood some sixty feet from the dwelling. The house had recently been refurnished and was of itself one of the best farm houses in the county.
 Wheeling Register, January 24, 1884.

Murder in Tyler County.

New Martinsville Messenger.
We are indebted to Mr. Bert Swann, of Middlebourne, for the particulars of a tragedy near that town, which resulted in the death of Jacob Metz, well known to many of our readers.

It seems that Metz had been intimate with a young lady by the name of Gorman, for some years, and that a man by the name of Rockwell, better known ast "Cheap John," having formed her acquaintance, bad feelings had been engendered. Metz had been over to New Martinsville last Monday, and on his return home met the young lady in Middlebourne and in the evening accompanied her to her father's house, some distance from the town. Later in the evening Rockwell came to the house and the men soon began quarreling, and about ten o'clock P. M., began fighting in the yard. Metz, according to the story of the girl, who was the only witness of the affair, had Rockwell down and was pounding him with his fists, when Rockwell managed to get his revolver from his pocket and fired, inflicting a wound from which Metz died yesterday morning.

Rockwell had not been arrested when our informant left Middlebourne.

We learn from Col. D. D. Johnson that Rockwell was to have had his preliminary trial last Saturday, but he procured the postponement until Monday and again until yesterday, under the plea of being too unwell to attend. The Messenger is mistaken in referring to the woman as a "young lady," as she is a public character and well known as such. He further says the public impression is that the murder was a most deliberate and foul one.  Wheeling Daily Register, October 17, 1877.


The Metz Murder.
The Ritchie Gazette in printing the particulars of the attrocious murder of Jacob Metz by John Rockwell, in Tyler county, a couple of weeks ago adds:
"The Wheeling Register states upon the information of Col. Dan Johnson that the woman is one of bad character, and that the murder was a deliberate and foul one. The reports which we have received do not corroborate this statement. We have been informed that Rockwell even cried for mercy, and asked Metz if he intended to kill him. Metz replied in the affirmative, when Rockwell drew his pistol and fired, with the result narrated above.

However, the affray in itself was certainley a disgraceful one."

The Register has since stated, however, that Rockwell, on being arraigned before the proper tribunal for the commission of the crime, proved that it was purely an act of self defense, and thereupon he was acquitted. Wheeling Daily Register, October 25, 1877.

A Sharp Crusade

Inaugurated by Sistersville Ministers and Others

Against the Speak Easies Which Have Flourished in that Town for Several Years--Great Popular Excitement Over the Movement for Reform.

Special to the Register.
Sistersville, April 7,--Like a thunderbolt from a clear sky came the long looked for twist of the speak-easies. It was in the air that something would drop soon, but all the same the move of the reformers was unexpected. It is well to know that a big effort was made to secure licenses from the County Court early in the week. The hotel men "went it alone" and secured Capt. Dovener, of Wheeling, to do

THE MISSIONARY WORK
at the county seat. It was generally understood that the hotels stood a fair show. They went before the court backed with petitions signed by nearly all the business men in town. The other element--the separate saloons--watched every move made by the hotel men, and thereby hangs a tale. At the meeting of the new Council Tuesday night, the latter appeared for permits. The former "got on" and charged

SNAP JUDGMENT
on the part of the hotel proprietors, claiming that it was a game of freeze-out. The upshot was that the Council granted the permits to all applicants, ten in number. License was not granted and the cry went up, "What next?"

The new Council declared itself Saturday, inasmuch as the town sergeant made a tour of the saloons for the $100 fine each, following the policy of the old Council for the past year. While he was collecting fines Rev. O. W. Ownby, of the M. E. Church, Rev. T. A. Anderson of the Presbyterian Church, and Rev. J. D. Vannoy, of the Baptist Church, appeared before 'Squire McCoy. The clergymen

SWORE OUT A WARRANT
against Mr. and Mrs. G. B. Thompson and C. and H. Benedict for illegal liquor selling. The former are out of town, but the latter were arrested. They gave bonds for their appearance before the grand jury and $500 bonds to quit selling for one year.

This caused a big sensation. It was said Saturday that warrants were sworn out for the arrest of every speak-easy proprietor in town. The plan of those back of the movement is to secure conviction and then

ENJOIN THEM FROM SELLING.
They claim that this is the best way to stop the traffic.

The move does not meet with popular favor. The majority of our citizens are in favor of licensing such places that are run with a show of decency. In the meantime the speak-easy men are lying low, watching for the next turn of the wheel.

Saturday evening it was learned that a warrant had been issued for

EVERY SPEAK-EASY KEEPER
in town. Two arrests were made, Frank Howe and Fred Empey. They were taken before Judge McCoy and put under bonds for their appearance before the grand jury and to quit selling for one year.

The rest are keeping shady. One man, Davis, closed his saloon voluntarily and the outlook is that the town will be "dry" for some days to come. The Wheeling Register, April 8, 1895.

Col. Dan Johnson was in the city yesterday, looking as merry and happy as if he expected to realize several dollars per bushel on his wheat crop this year. He tells us there is considerable agitation throughout his county because of a proposed narrow gauge railway, which is to run from Long Reach, or Sistersville through the county to Harrison. The main object of bulding the road is to open up the interior part of Tyler county, and bring to market the fine timber with which Tyler abounds. Speaking of timber, it might be said just here that Mr. Sheppard and others who are negotiating for the shipment of West Virginia timber to foreign markets might make a trip to Tyler county with profit. Senator Johnson would be a proper gentleman to interview on the resources of his section. He would not only be glad to impart such information, but his guests would find him capable of so doing. The county is very rich in valuable timber, and the sooner means are afforded for bringin it to market the better. May the railroad project culminate into something tangible is the wish of Wheeling. Wheeling Daily Register, May 30, 1877. 


Transcribed by C. Anthony

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